As more states move to ban TikTok on government-owned devices, and politicians weigh the accusations that the app is being used to spy on US journalists, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is supposedly willing to make some significant concessions in its deal with US officials, working fervently to avoid a full ban in the region.
What Are We Looking At?
For months now, ByteDance has been working with the Committee for Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) to establish terms on a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the US, with discussions primarily centered on data storage and limiting access to US user data by China-based company employees. This deal would see TikTok partner with Oracle on a local storage center for US users, however, additional concerns have arisen with regard to how its algorithm functions, which could supposedly also be used to manipulate users in the app.
ByteDance is now proposing a new element that would see a reorganization of the company’s US operations, along with new measures for algorithmic transparency that would allow for greater oversight and control for American authorities.
This wouldn’t be the first time TikTok proposed more algorithmic transparency.
TikTok also announced plans to open a new transparency center in LA in 2020 to allay fears about the potential interference of the Chinese government. This particular element has resurfaced and is now part of the negotiations, with the view that by providing more insight into its operations, the app can reassure US officials as to what really goes on inside – what’s being amplified or demoted—and whether or not external voices are influencing such. This has become a particular concern because records of suppression have also been tied back to the app.
However, some stipulations of this new deal could eventually end up being concerns of their own, as they would enable US officials to have some input into TikTok’s algorithmic process, and to potentially influence what the app shows or doesn’t show users, based on their assessment. In a way, it does show parallels to how the CCP dictates how Chinese-based companies operate their algorithmic systems. The interesting item to consider here is how much the CCP already influences in-app trends and how that could relate to the same proposal in the US.
For example, it’s been reported that the Chinese Government allegedly wants Douyin, TikTok’s Chinese version, to ‘encourage’ positive and beneficial behaviors, so it has exerted a level of influence over the platform to focus more on these types of content over others, which becomes especially interesting once you take a look at the top trends in the US.
The Wrap
What if the US government pushed for the same thing? What if its would-be algorithmic manipulation powers reduced the emphasis on dancing clips in favor of highlighting more positive community elements? While that could be positive, it might also be overstepping the bounds of what this proposal is all about.
This could be where things are headed: if ByteDance looks to give US officials a say over the content that gets more traction in the app, then that could lean more into the Chinese model of Douyin, where officials supposedly hold significant sway over all aspects of the app’s operations. TikTok could be facing some significant changes over the coming months.
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